Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Kinsler Aching and Probably Out

A sports hernia occurs when there is a weakening of the muscles or tendons of the lower abdominal wall. It occurs in the same area as a traditional abdominal hernia, but there is often no visible pouch or bulge. It is a more common injury among hockey players.

He has 518 at bats so he could still win the batting title, but you can be he won't be happy about it. Also not happy? Josh Hamilton, who has spent so much time this season driving Kinsler home, Rangers pitchers' who have depended upon the Ranger's prolific offense to bail them out game after game, and Ballpark at Arlington beer vendors who, by virtue of the Rangers' offense-fueled three+ hour marathon games, are having a banner year.

5 comments:

Hamilton probably needs a break also. He's way over last year's AB's (485 to 300), and in that Texas heat he's just deteriorating visibly.

People emphasize that pitchers have to be careul about their year over year IP when young, limiting the increase to about 15%.

But position players, while not the severe injury risk pitchers are, can be prone to injury from fatigue, and an outfielder could be looking at some form of leg or knee injury. It's a long season and conditioning both before and during the season is something that has to be developed by a player. That usually takes a year or two for a player to internalize.

Texas isan't going to make the playoffs. Time to give Hamilton a few extra days off.

Hamilton probably needs a break also. He's way over last year's AB's (485 to 300), and in that Texas heat he's just deteriorating visibly.

People emphasize that pitchers have to be careul about their year over year IP when young, limiting the increase to about 15%.

But position players, while not the severe injury risk pitchers are, can be prone to injury from fatigue, and an outfielder could be looking at some form of leg or knee injury. It's a long season and conditioning both before and during the season is something that has to be developed by a player. That usually takes a year or two for a player to internalize.

Texas isan't going to make the playoffs. Time to give Hamilton a few extra days off.

On a slightly more sensitive note, I feel bad for Kinsler and Rangers fans. With him in the lineup, games were exciting and it would have been an interesting change of pace to see him win the MVP. Now that can't happen.

Another thing likely weighing on Hamilton's mind is that his contract will be negotiated over the break. So, staying in the lineup and trying to rack up as many hits and RBI's as possible may be one element to the equation. But, he will certainly miss Kinsler getting on base ahead of him, and helping to extend innings that get him more at-bats. However, I agree completely with APBA guy...he is being visibly eaten up by the heat we've had here, and he really should stop down at least once a week.